Italian GP: Michelin preview

After a resounding success in Hungary a couple of weeks ago, Michelin
and its Formula One partners are poised to rejoin the grand prix trail
at Monza, Italy's celebrated temple of speed, for the 14th of this
year's 16 world championship rounds. It...

After a resounding success in Hungary a couple of weeks ago, Michelin
and its Formula One partners are poised to rejoin the grand prix trail
at Monza, Italy's celebrated temple of speed, for the 14th of this
year's 16 world championship rounds. It is also the final European event
of the campaign.

Michelin motorsport director Pierre Dupasquier is keen to underline
the strength of the Clermont-Ferrand company's performance in the most
recent race. He said: "Such a result was almost beyond our wildest
dreams. Fernando Alonso and Renault spearheaded a magnificent display by
Michelin's partner teams and our domination was absolute."

"As for the recent debate about tyre tread widths, we are happy to
see that the FIA clarified the issue in its most recent statement by
confirming the legality of our tyres and considers the matter closed.
For us, our stance on the interpretation of rule 77c has not changed."

"Looking ahead to this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, I'm sure our main
rival Ferrari will be a factor because its chassis characteristics suit
circuits such as this. If the narrow front tyres they prefer are going
to help them anywhere, it will be here at Monza!"

Technically speaking, with Pascal Vasselon (F1 programme manager)

May the force be with you
"At Monza teams tend to compromise cornering ability in order to
generate higher speeds down the long straights. We have to bear this
in mind when choosing tyres because we need our rubber to compensate
a little for the lack of aerodynamic downforce - especially through
ultra-quick corners such as the two Lesmos and the Parabolica, as well
as the tight chicanes."

Born three
"Our dry-weather tyre options have been selected on the basis of
results at the recent Monza tests. There will be three different types
available."

Middle order
"The track layout at Monza generates high temperatures so we have to
focus on minimising the risk of blistering. The tighter sections of the
track don't place a great deal of strain on the rubber and would allow
us to run a soft compound, but the loads imposed by the long, high-speed
straights persuade us to select tyres from the medium part of our range."

Strategic options
"Last season a one-stop strategy was most effective here, but I think
teams are more likely to pit twice this time. A stop costs less than
30 seconds and the fuel penalty is about 0.3 seconds per lap for every
extra 10 kilos."